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Next to Daytona Beach? 90' lines are fine, 12mph? that's a vented breeze to me. I would just learn the 90's this year. On those low wind days, in Florida, in the summer, I'd sit in an air conditioned house until it reaches 12mph again. I'm sure you're enjoying the 90' lines for now.

Length, even in low winds is a personal preference and also related to your conditions. I know some people who prefer longer lines then they would otherwise fly when the wind is low. The longer lines give you a bigger window and allow you to get the kite up out of the slower/dirtier boundry area, the wind close to the ground has been slowed by friction and disturbed by any obstructions or even rolling elevation changes in an otherwise open area.

Myself, I prefer shorter lines even in our garbage winds, I feel disconnected from the kite on longer lines, that's just me though. I do agree with the longer line side though, you can often find flyable air up higher. But our conditions here get really strange, we will often have a dead zone up about 30 feet from the ground, you feel the wind, the kite will launch & climb then just die at 30', sometimes the wind is reversed up there and it will blow the kite toward you, better to be near the ground where you can feel the wind in those conditions. Plus I can't run a 360* to regain field on lines longer the 60', it's a long way to run to bring a kite across 250 feet of area with the wind at its back, I am 57 after all.

« Last Edit: May 25, 2012, 07:25 AM by mikenchico »

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Length, even in low winds is a personal preference and also related to your conditions. I know some people who prefer longer lines then they would otherwise fly when the wind is low. The longer lines give you a bigger window and allow you to get the kite up out of the slower/dirtier boundry area, the wind close to the ground has been slowed by friction and disturbed by any obstructions or even rolling elevation changes in an otherwise open area.

Myself, I prefer shorter lines even in our garbage winds, I feel disconnected from the kite on longer lines, that's just me though. I do agree with the longer line side though, you can often find flyable air up higher. But our conditions here get really strange, we will often have a dead zone up about 30 feet from the ground, you feel the wind, the kite will launch & climb then just die at 30', sometimes the wind is reversed up there and it will blow the kite toward you, better to be near the ground where you can feel the wind in those conditions. Plus I can't run a 360* to regain field on lines longer the 60', it's a long way to run to bring a kite across 250 feet of area with the wind at its back, I am 57 after all.

Thanks for the info Mike... I have noticed similar things here with the wind on specific days, some times its like once it gets to a certain height it just stops. I may just grab a shorter set just to have handy and then after some good testing I'll know for sure which one I will prefer.

Also, do you guys think the vision will pull a 48foot transition tail? The wife loves watching the kites with the tails on them.

I have a couple of Visions and use them to reach newbies how to fly and do some basic tricks. 5 mph is not a problem for the kite but maybe more of a skill thing, so give it some time and you'll be working in in the recommended wind range - no problemo.

I also fly one at the beach with a 48' tail and have pulled double that with it before but only in strong wind, say 12 mph or more. I usually don't ever get it out to pull a tail unless the wind is getting past double digits and I want a change of pace for a bit.

Just use the Vision until you feel you want something else and then keep it in the bag to use a a teaching kite or pull that tail around in high wind.

The main trick to learning is to ENJOY it and everything else will come together for you.

We had some decent wind today so I got a few hours in. Was getting about 8mph or so pretty steady and then gusts up to 20 (was a bit tricky to do tricks when it was gusty) but still had a great time.

I managed to break the "leading edge bar" or whatever that thing is called by basically landing on the wing tip at almost full speed. The kite basically just bounced down super hard on the wing tip and then shot back up in the sky.

It still flies quiet well even with the bar a little weakened at the end (didn't notice I broke it until I was taking the kite apart). I've emailed Steve to see if he can get me a replacement part. Basically learned that I have to be more careful when trying to skim the beach!

I'm surprised at the number of guys who pull tails with the Vision. I also pull transition tails with the Vision. I even hook another 50' of one inch color tail on to it. looks cool when it spins. Also like Tony I have a five stack Vision train.

Bad beginner kite. You need a lot of wind and newbies are afraid to break kite anyway. It moves to fast. Small,durable,can do a few tricks. But you have to have experience to fly her. Even pulling tails is not an easy take off or landing.... winds are crazy outside really high.. gusted to 57 mph yesterday...

If you are in New Symrna we fly in Orlando at South Port Park by the airport. You can usually find us there every Saturday. We would be more than happy to have you came fly with us. There are plenty of kites for you to try out from $30 that you can lawn dart to your hearts content to really high end stuff that just makes you wan to drool. I you'd like kick me an e-mail with contact info and I can let you know exact times. Regardless keep flying it only gets easier.

P.S. It sounds basic but make sure your flying lines are even or nothing good is going to happen.

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